We all have favorite theme park snacks, right? It can be tough when you’re craving a butterbeer, but can’t stop by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to pick one up. So, we have the next best thing! Make one at home! You can make these four amazing Universal Orlando Resort recipes at home to help get you by until your next Universal Orlando Resort vacation. Enjoy!

Butterbeer Recipe from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

One of the most iconic snacks from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or even all of Universal Orlando Resort is butterbeer. Butterbeer is served chilled, frozen, or warm (seasonally) inside of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You can find this sweet butterscotch flavored treat in the Three Broomsticks, Leaky Cauldron, Hog’s Head, and carts throughout the Wizarding World.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 6 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon  salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup heavy cream divided
• 1/2 teaspoon rum extract
• 4 bottles (12 oz. bottles) cream soda

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over medium, combine the brown sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often, until the mixture reads 240 F on a candy thermometer.
2. Stir in the butter, salt, vinegar and 1/4 heavy cream. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
3. Once the mixture has cooled, stir in the rum extract.
4. In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Use an electric mixer to beat until just thickened, but not completely whipped, about 2 to 3 minutes.
5. To serve, divide the brown sugar mixture between 4 tall glasses (about 1/4 cup for each glass). Add 1/4 cup of cream soda to each glass, then stir to combine. Fill each glass nearly to the top with additional cream soda, then spoon the whipped topping over each.

To make your butterbeer most like the original version served in the parks, you will want to freeze this recipe since it served hot.

We even have a Harry Potter recipe card that you can print out to save your butterbeer recipe to make again and again!

Fried PB&J with Bananas Sandwich Recipe from Halloween Horror Nights

Although Universal Orlando Resort will not be hosting Halloween Horror Nights in 2020, you can still enjoy a delicious treat from the nation’s premier Halloween event!

The first step to enoying these fried pb&j with bananas sandwich is to make the secret ingredient that makes this sandwich unbelievable… FUNNEL CAKE BATTER!

Funnel Cake Batter Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

• In a large bowl, mix the milk and eggs together.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Next, stir the bowl of dry ingredients into the large bowl of wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
• Set aside for later.

Fried PB&J with Bananas Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of thick cut, white bread
• 1 ½ tablespoons of creamy peanut butter
• 1 ½ tablespoons of grape jelly
• ½ banana sliced
• 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup
• ½ cup funnel cake batter
• 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar
• Canola oil (I would get at least 48 oz.)

Directions:

• Preheat a large, heavy bottomed pot or large fry pan with canola oil until it reaches 350 degrees (use a candy thermometer to check temp).
  • You can also use a dutch oven or stock pot to fry as well. Whatever floats your boat… or in this case, sandwich.
  • For the canola oil, you’ll want around 2 inches or so. You want to be able to fully submerge the sandwich in the oil.
  • If you don’t have a candy thermometer (which I did not), you can tell the oil is ready when it’s shimmering with a whiff of smoke.
• Spread creamy peanut butter evenly on one slice of bread.
• Spread grape jelly evenly on another slice of bread.
• Pause to lick any peanut butter or jelly you may have gotten on your fingers.
• Slice the banana and place onto the piece of bread with the peanut butter.
• Close sandwich and submerge into the bowl of funnel cake batter until completely covered.
• Place the sandwich into the preheated oil but be careful! I recommend using tongs or a large slotted spoon.
• Fry until golden brown on both sides.
• Remove from oil and place onto paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
• Drizzle as much chocolate syrup as you’d like and garnish with powdered sugar. I love A LOT of chocolate as you can probably tell in the picture!
• Lastly, turn on the Halloween Horror Nights Spotify Playlist, close your eyes, and munch away. It’s almost like you’re back on the fog covered streets… almost.

Are you ready to start counting down to Halloween Horror Nights 2021?!

Guacamole Recipe from Antojitos

You can celebrate Cinco de Mayo anytime with this guacamole recipe from Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food in Universal CityWalk.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 teaspoon of jalapeños (diced)
• 1 teaspoon of tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon of red onions (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon of garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon olives (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon of cilantro
• 1 teaspoon of lime juice
• A drizzle of olive oil

Directions:

1. First, let’s get fancy and get a bunch of little bowls and divide all the ingredients up into them. Then, let’s get mixing!
2. Put the jalapeños in a large bowl (if you don’t like spiciness, skip this step.)
3. Carefully cut the avocado in half and discard the pit by inserting the blade into the seed using a quick and gentle cutting movement, then twist and remove. Gently scoop the avocado with a spoon and place in a bowl.
4. Add the red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, salt, and olives to the bowl.
5. Add a drizzle of olive oil.
6. Mash and mix all the ingredients together using the back of a large spoon or fork, then mix in the lime juice.
7. Shape it into a perfect little guac mountain and garnish with extra cilantro or tomatoes.
8. Get your favorite chips and get your guac on!

Blast the mariachi music, throw those chips in a bowl, and get that salt shaker ready. It’s time to fiesta!

Big Apple Grilled Cheese Recipe from TODAY Cafe

You can bring a taste of Universal’s comfort food to your home with the Big Apple Grilled Cheese recipe from TODAY Cafe. This fun twist on grilled cheese combines the savory flavors of melted cheesiness and tomatoes with the crisp sweetness of apples all in one sandwich. It’s a great lunch option for your kids or for the big kid that’s in all of us.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of white bread
• 2 slices of cheddar cheese
• 2 slices of Swiss cheese
• 1 slice of pepper jack cheese
• 1 tablespoon roasted plum tomato
• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
• 4 thin slices of Red Delicious apple

Directions:

1. Butter two slices of white bread with softened butter
2. Remove the core of the apple and cut into 4 wedges
3. Thinly slice one wedge of apple and set aside for later
4. Place bread butter side down into non-stick fry pan on medium heat
5. Begin to build the sandwich by laying the pepper jack and Swiss cheese on one slice
6. Allow the cheese to begin to melt from the heat below
7. Once the cheese begins to soften, place apples and tomatoes on top of the slice with cheddar
8. Using a spatula, flip the side with the pepper jack onto the other side and press for one minute
9. Ensure that both sides are golden brown, remove from pan and place onto cutting board
10. Cut in half and enjoy the cheesiness!
11. Serve with your favorite side of fruit, potato salad, or whatever your heart desires

Bonus: it’s an easy recipe to tackle for those of us who aren’t necessarily cooking savvy.

Mini Pumpkin Donuts with Green Icing Recipe

This is the perfect pumpkin donut recipe to bring a little Halloween Horror Nights to your home. Not only are they deliciously pumpkin flavored, they’re also mini and very cute!

Makes 24 Mini Pumpkin Donuts

Ingredients:

• 1  cup sugar
• 4  teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ cup of pumpkin pie spice
• 2 eggs
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups flour (plus a little more if dough is sticky)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Green icing or white icing + green food coloring (from local grocery store for topping)

Directions: 

• In a large bowl mix the sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and nutmeg together.
• Add eggs, milk, and melted butter. Beat well.
• Add 3 cups of the flour, beating until blended. Add one more cup of flour and beat well. The dough should be soft and sticky but firm enough to handle. If you feel it’s necessary, add up to 1/2 cup more flour.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for (at least) one hour.

During your hour break, turn on the Halloween Horror Nights Spotify Playlist and imagine yourself standing in the fog. Now it’s time for the fun part.

• Remove your dough from the fridge and begin heating about 1 inch of oil to 360℉ in a large metal skillet or dutch oven.
• Working half the dough at a time, roll it out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thickness.
• Cut out circles using a mini donut cutter or small biscuit or cookie cutter, really anything that can give you a mini donut shape. 
  • For the center, I actually use the cap off a soda bottle to cut the holes. (Life hack!)
• Gently drop the donuts a little away from you in batches into the hot oil.
• As they begin to puff, flip them over with metal tongs and continue to flip a few more times as they cook. They will take about 2-3 minutes in total and will be a lovely golden brown color all over.
• Remove donuts from the oil and set them on top of paper towels draped over a plate.
• Grab the green icing you purchased from your local grocery store and drizzle over donuts as much as you’d like!
  • If you’re unable to find green icing, you can mix green food coloring in any white frosting. 
• For a little more fun, you can even crush up some cookie crumbles and lay the donuts on top to resemble a spooky little pumpkin patch.
• Take a photo and ENJOY!

What are you whipping up in the kitchen? Share with us your homemade Universal Orlando Resort recipes!